Solar Pool Heating

#1 Use of Solar in the World: Solar Pool Heating is the most widely used form of solar worldwide. Here in Maryland, a solar pool heater is THE cheapest way of heating an outdoor swimming pool and should double your swim season. Compared to gas or electric, your solar pool heater will pay for itself in 1 or 2 seasons and last decades.

Solar pool heating in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and the Mid-Atlantic is a very effective use of Solar Energy because pools are heated to relatively low temperatures and require a huge amount of energy to heat. The solar system uses a very simple unglazed plastic collector that is perfect for this application. It is impervious to pool chemicals (salt water pools too) and, at these low temperatures, is actually more efficient than a glazed collector (glass covered). Ninety percent of all the heat required by a pool is due to heat losses from the water’s surface area. This is why solar pool systems are sized according to surface area and why a pool blanket is so effective. There is simply no cheaper way of maintaining a warm pool.

REQUIREMENTS

If the pool is in full sun, collector area should equal at least 60% of the surface area of pool (i.e. 480 sq. ft. of solar collector for an 800 sq. ft. pool). If the pool is shaded, more collector area is required. The collectors require an area that receives full sun, usually a south-facing roof, but ground-mounted systems are also a popular option.

COST

Rough cost estimates can be determined using the pool’s surface area, but a specific proposal also will be dependent on the position of pool/roof relative to the sun and any shading, the surface are of the pool, and the location of the pool filtration equipment relative to the chosen solar collector location. Complete residential systems typically range from $5000 – $10,000 fully installed.

If the pool is in full sun, collector area should equal at least 60% of the surface area of pool (i.e. 480 sq. ft. of solar collector for an 800 sq. ft. pool). If the pool is shaded, more collector area is required. The collectors require an area that receives full sun, usually a south-facing roof, but ground-mounted systems are also an option.

“I can’t begin to say thank you enough to you and the team. Your team finished on April 21st and on April 25th we were already in the pool with 76 degree water. The system is AMAZING and the best home improvement investment we have made. Thanks again for a wonderful job and for starting our summer much earlier.”